Free Excursions And Activities In Los Angeles

Los Angeles has a lot fun free activities to offer locals and tourists alike. You can go check out the very last space shuttle (Space Shuttle Endeavour), or take free archery lessons to try to be the next Katniss Everdeen. Here are our top four picks for free and unique LA activities to take you beyond the beach and classic Hollywood attractions.

1. California Science Center

Museum, Park, School, Theater

California Science Center

The California Science Center is a state museum located in Exposition Park. It’s the biggest science center on the West Coast, featuring an IMAX theater and the Space Shuttle Endeavor, in addition to lots of science-related attractions. People of all ages love this museum; it has something for everyone with any interest in science. This is a great educational center and a popular school field trip destination. Admission is free, but there’s a fee to see an IMAX movie and the Space Shuttle Endeavor.

California Science Center, 700 Exposition Park Drive, Los Angeles, CA, USA

2. The Getty Center

Building, Museum

The Getty in Los Angeles is designed by Richard Meier.

The Getty Center features mostly 19th and 20th century paintings, drawings, illuminated manuscripts, sculpture and decorative arts from around the globe. The center has several remarkable attractions, such as the Central Garden. Beautiful maze-like azaleas float in the pool, and many varieties of the plant are used in the surrounding garden. The Center also offers some of the best views of Los Angeles: you can see from West LA to the downtown skyscrapers and the infamous forever-traffic-jammed 405 freeway. Admission is free, but parking costs $15. You can use the same parking pass to park at the Getty Villa (below) in Malibu the same day.

3. The Getty Villa

Museum

The Getty Villa, another part of the Getty Museum, is located some distance away in Malibu, off the PCH. Unlike the Getty Center, this museum focuses on the arts and cultures of ancient Greece, Rome and Etruria. The entire museum is designed to replicate a villa in the ancient Roman Empire. Once a residential home, the former owner decided to convert the gorgeous space into a museum to showcase his art collection that he acquired over the years. You will find many fascinating items in the museum, including a seat from the Coliseum itself. This museum is a like a candy store for ancient history buffs. Admission is free, but reservation is required prior to entrance into the museum. Parking is $15.

4. Pasadena Roving Archers

School

Pasadena Roving Archers

Pasadena Roving Archers‘ archery school is a free activity that even locals tend to miss. Every Saturday morning, first-time visitors can participate in a free archery lesson (equipment is included). The next visit is $5, which is still very reasonable. The recent hit movie, The Hunger Games, has made many girls want to be the next bow-slinging Katniss Everdeen (or Merida from Brave). There are many shooting ranges in L.A., but Pasadena Roving Archers is one of only a handful for archery.

Pasadena Roving Archers, 415 S Arroyo Blvd, Pasadena, CA, USA

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

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